The largest Asian supermarket chain in the United States, 99 Ranch Market, is facing a federal lawsuit accusing it of discriminatory employment practices, including paying non-Chinese employees less than their Chinese counterparts. The suit, filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), also alleges that the company denied promotions to deserving workers who were not of Chinese origin and unfairly terminated non-Chinese managers.
According to the lawsuit, 99 Ranch Market, which operates 66 locations across the U.S. and 43 in California, allegedly scheduled non-Chinese workers for fewer hours than employees of Chinese descent. The EEOC contends that this pattern of discrimination created an environment where some employees felt compelled to resign.
The parent company, Tawa Market, is also named in the suit. Catherine Eschbach, acting general counsel for the EEOC, stated that the company cannot discriminate against workers or terminate managers based on national origin, regardless of its identity as a "Chinese supermarket." Christine Park-Gonzalez, director of the EEOC's Los Angeles District, emphasized that customer preference or beliefs about worker productivity do not justify national origin discrimination, and employers must adhere to federal law.
Founded in 1984 by Taiwanese immigrant Roger Chen, 99 Ranch Market has a significant presence in California, with 25 stores in Southern California and 19 in Northern California. The chain also operates in 10 other states, including Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.